Robert Duane Lanier

Funeral Services for Robert Duane Lanier, 78, of Pleasant View, Colo. will be held Monday, March 11 at 10 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints Empire Chapel, 1700 E. Empire in Cortez with Tim Lanier conducting. Interment will follow at Sylvan Cemetery in Pleasant View, Colo.

Visitation has been set for Sunday afternoon from 4 to 6 p.m. at the church and Monday morning prior to the funeral from 9 to 9:45 a.m.

Duane died Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez following a bout with the flu and complications with Parkinson's Disease. He was born May 19, 1934, at Ackman, Colo. (which later became known as Pleasant View) in the same house he grew up in and later lived in after he was married. He was the son of Joseph Robert Lanier and Lucy Marie Pharo.

When Duane was seven years old, his best friend and brother, Gus, died of cancer, leaving a huge hole in his life. He could never talk about Gus without getting teary-eyed.

Duane began grade school at the Sylvan School in Pleasant View. When he was seven his family moved to Dolores, up on Summit Ridge, so that his brother, Roger could go to high school. He attended school in Dolores until he was a freshman in high school, then his family lived in Parker, Ariz. for three years, coming back to Dolores during the summers. Duane spent his senior year at Dolores High School and graduated in 1952.

In March of 1954, Duane joined the Army and was soon shipped off to Texas and eventually landed in Germany. It was while in Germany that he invited Barbara "Bobbie" Leavitt to join him and they were married in Pirmasens, Germany on Sept. 24, 1955.

After his service in the Army, Duane and Bobbie settled on the family farm in Pleasant View in 1957. Together they farmed and raised their family, which consisted of five children, Timothy Allen, Colleen, Moneta, Ben Loren, and Sherri Lynn. Duane only retired from farming because he was forced to due to health problems.

Duane was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. He was a determined, persistent soul, which manifested itself greatly during his years with Parkinson's Disease. He was a basketball coach, along with Gary Mahaffey, for Pleasant View grade school when his children were young, you would have thought they were coaching the professionals. He enjoyed playing on a men's basketball team for several years.

Duane served as a member of the Re-1 Board of Education from 1971-1979 and felt honored when he was awarded a lifetime activity pass for his service, which he used often in the ensuing years, never tiring of attending football and basketball games as long as he was able. Duane enjoyed woodworking, which he learned from a good friend, Charles Givens. He built a beautiful grandfather clock, two more from kits, and various pieces of furniture and most recently, beautiful kitchen and bathroom cabinets in his home. He became proficient at building log beds and built many for his grandchildren which they treasure. He was famous for the custom made box with various sized compartments he built for his scooter that he rode in later years.

He joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints in 1958, and was active in it the rest of his life. He served in many callings, including as a Bishop for five years. His faith was strong and he was a great example to his family. After Bobbie's death, Duane kept track of and delighted in sending anniversary cards and birthday cards to his family members, which number over 100. His grandchildren were continuously amazed at his remembering them.

Duane was a very social person and even after he became incapacitated with Parkinson's Disease, he never tired of going out in public to attend various events and activities. He enjoyed going to auctions and continued to go to church up until the very last.

Duane was preceded in death by two brothers, Roger and Hudnall Lanier; two sisters, Louise Howard and Georgia Johnson; and two siblings who died in childhood, Joanne and Gus. He is survived by children Tim (Merlene) Lanier, Colleen (Dave) Honaker, Moneta (Doug) Mack, Ben (Xela) Lanier, Sherri (Adam) McCombs; 15 grandsons; 13 granddaughters; 18 great-grandsons; 23 great-granddaughters.

Memorial contributions may be made in Robert Duane Lanier's name to the National Parkinson's Foundation, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 5018, Hagerstown, Md. 21741-5018 or to the Humanitarian Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints.

Services are under the direction of Ertel Funeral Home. For further information or to send condolences, log on to www.ertelfuneralhome.com and click on the obituary section.